Texans should give Favre a call

A day after the football-following world warmed up to the notion that the Texans may be the best team in the AFC, the Texans’ ability to compete with AFC teams not in the AFC South took a major hit.

And now, with starting quarterback Matt Schaub expected to miss the rest of the year, the job falls to Matt Leinart, a former Heisman winner who hung around campus one year too long, lost his job to Kurt Warner, and then blew his chance to succeed the Hall of Famer by displaying a lack of accuracy that nearly got Larry Fitzgerald killed in the preseason.

Instead, it got Leinart run out of Arizona.

So why in the world would the Texans entrust the starting quarterback job to Leinart, whose coach at USC has shown no interest in a reunion, as they move toward their first playoff berth in franchise history?

Yes, I believe the Texans should call Brett Favre. Though he has become a caricature, the analysis is simple: Would you rather have Favre or Leinart running your offense?

I don’t expect the Texans to call Favre, and I have no idea whether Favre would be interested. But for the past few years there’s been a vague sense that Favre would consider capping his career with a Roger Clemens-style partial season with a contending team that has a clear need.

Many will dismiss the possibility because we’re all sick of Brett Favre the man. But there’s no denying that Brett Favre the quarterback can still bring it. He has shown that he can get up to speed quickly, and if the Broncos can re-tool their offense quickly to suit the unique skills of Tim Tebow, the Texans surely can come up with a playbook that consists of healthy doses of Arian Foster and Ben Tate on the ground, periodic Brett bombs to Andre Johnson, and a smattering of short throws to Owen Daniels and either Foster or Tate.

Coupled with one of the best defenses in the league, and in light of the fact that Houston is a fairly short flight from Hattiesburg, it makes sense.

It makes a lot more sense than trusting Matt Leinart.

Sure, Leinart may dub me a “hater” and use this criticism as motivation, but if the guy wasn’t able to motivate himself when the starting job in Arizona had been handed to him, the kick in the butt that comes from a external slight won’t matter.

And if, as expected, the Texans don’t call Favre, he can blame only himself for allowing issues other than his arm strength and experience and competitiveness influence teams to now avoid him. This could have been his best chance to write the perfect final chapter for his career, walking off into the sunset with a second Lombardi after beating the Packers and Aaron Rodgers.

Sure, Leinart may dub me a “hater” and use this criticism as motivation, but if the guy wasn’t able to motivate himself when the starting job in Arizona had been handed to him, the kick in the butt that comes from a external slight won’t matter.
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What are you talking about? Leinart did not get much support from the coach. He was the best QB they had (not saying he was great) and the coach simply looked for a reason to get rid of him and start the disaster they had last season. He is capable of winning with that team. There is no reason to mention Favre–OK, the page hits are a reason–as he has little in the tank, a fairly high asking price and a questionable health status (due to age coupled with zero football workouts since December)

23chameleons says:Nov 14, 2011 8:10 PM

I’m actually willing to give Leinart a shot in this offense. We have 2 outstanding RB’s with a great O line and a guy in Andre Johnson that I could throw the ball up to and he’d come down with it. If Leinart can pick his spots (and since Kubiak is so conservative in his playcalling, that shouldn’t be too hard), I think we’ll be OK.

If we learned anything by the debacle that is Indy’s 2011 team, it’s that you have a 2nd & 3rd QB to step in when your #1 goes down. You don’t call a Kerry Collins and you don’t call a Brett Favre. The entire team loses faith.

Really? A guy that’s not an All-Pro but already knows the offense and should have timing down with the starters, or a guy who’s out of shape, far too old, a divisive presence in the media and locker room, and is the all-time NFL record holder in turnovers?

I’d take a backup with accuracy issues over a washed-up guy that’s tanked the past three seasons and has already quit working out.

commandercornpone says:Nov 14, 2011 8:14 PM

i already made the favre joke a few texans posts ago…

favre couldnt be 2nd string on the packers now.

but he just might outplay leinart.

leinarft probly doesnt have the best deep arm. but most of his issues are between his ears.

“This could have been his best chance to write the perfect final chapter for his career, walking off into the sunset with a second Lombardi after beating the Packers and Aaron Rodgers.”
—————————————————-
Have you lost your mind? That would be a game that the Packers defense actually gets up for.

Why do people want to see Farve die on a football field? He can’t take that beating any longer.

Brett Farve showed last season that he in fact has nothing left in his tank but incompletions and dumb picks. He’s too old, out of shape, and he gambles too much, he hasnt left his gunslinger nature… not a good thing when ur 100 yrs old.
Leinhart will have to be a game manager and just throw it to andre n if hes not open throw the screen to foster or tate.
Arian Foster will take over so it doesnt matter. And now theres more room to give Tate carries (who I believe is actually a better, harder runner than Foster, but not as good at receiving or blocking) and that will be better for their team.

Its too bad broncos didnt drop Orton lol
I hate Leinhart but I’d also rather have him than Mark Sanchez #suckitjets

It isn’t a ridiculous idea, but I don’t think Favre has it anymore. Last year he looked like a guy who stayed around one year too long. It would be fun to see, though, good or bad.

nationalmediacansuckit says:Nov 14, 2011 8:23 PM

Texas and Mississippi………same thing. Farve will feel right at home.

maddog716xxx says:Nov 14, 2011 8:25 PM

you guys always hate on farve for being a diva yet you always are the ones to keep him in the news cycle…

calloustongue says:Nov 14, 2011 8:26 PM

Take it from a Packer fan. On the verge of making the playoffs for the first time. You don’t want Favre at QB. Go with a young kid with something to prove and a chip on his shoulder. Favre is not the answer and hasn’t been for over a decade despite what the media says.

Sure if you want to end the season in dramatic fashion with a playoff killing INT (once with two Superbowl bound teams) then sure. And hell if you go that route you might as well call up Brad Childress and get his opinion on making your great offence a true Kick-Ass offence.

Not just no, but he## no! Why should we trust our season to an over-the-hill turnover machine???? I think Matt Leinart will be more than servicable. Especially since: this is our bye week, so he’s got more time to prepare; our running game will take a lot of pressure off him; we should get Andre Johnson back after the bye; our defense is playing really well, so our offense doesn’t have to score a ton of points. I don’t know for sure, but maybe having the silver spoon knocked out of his mouth has been a humbling experience for him. Ultimately, I can’t think of a single available QB that would give us a better chance to win.

Actually, Leinart was completing a high percentage of his throws when AZ cut him. Considering how they’ve fared without him, I’m more inclined to chalk it up Wiz being no different than any other Cowher disciple – not cut out for anything more than a coordinator gig. Wiz only looked competent when he had one HOFer throwing to another HOFer.

Rather than writing about something that will never happen, nor should happen, how using this as an opportunity to write an article on why the NFL should extend the trading deadline to the weekend after Thanksgiving?

Whisenhunt ruined Leinert and now Arizona is paying the price for that. He was by far the best QB the Cards had last year, but the coach was bull headed and got what he deserved. The Texans will be fine with Leinert and a lot of teams wish they had a backup as good as him.

I’m actually willing to give Leinart a shot in this offense. We have 2 outstanding RB’s with a great O line and a guy in Andre Johnson that I could throw the ball up to and he’d come down with it. If Leinart can pick his spots (and since Kubiak is so conservative in his playcalling, that shouldn’t be too hard), I think we’ll be OK.

If we learned anything by the debacle that is Indy’s 2011 team, it’s that you have a 2nd & 3rd QB to step in when your #1 goes down. You don’t call a Kerry Collins and you don’t call a Brett Favre. The entire team loses faith.

Even if they wanted to bring in Favre they couldn’t. They simply don’t have the salary cap space. Brett doesn’t play for free. Heck, he probably makes more in those Wrangler games than the Texans have cap space.

If the Texans need a QB to kill a season with turnovers, Lienart can do that as well as Favre can.

jimbroney says:Nov 14, 2011 9:03 PM

As a Hartford whaler fan, I totally agree with bringing in favre.

metalhead65 says:Nov 14, 2011 9:09 PM

sorry Mike in the case of Lienart you are and always have been a hater.

PFTbitesthehandthatfeeds says:Nov 14, 2011 9:10 PM

JC! Flouride! Really! You are becoming pathetic with your worship of Lord Farve.
If Lorenzo was god,you’d be his Tim Tebow.
Enough already!
Sometimes is down right scary that you have a voice in the NFL at all.

richmondhokie says:Nov 14, 2011 9:11 PM

For all of you with short memories, Favre had his best year as a QB just 2 years ago. 68% completion percentage, 33 TDs and just 7 INTs. His final year with MN was horrible, but he played all year on an injured ankle and as a result was throwing off his back foot. Even at age 41, Favre is a vast improvement over the hapless Leinart.

fringetastic says:Nov 14, 2011 9:16 PM

I think I just saw Jeff George at Houston Hobby, looking to hitch a ride to the practice facility.

deadeye says:Nov 14, 2011 9:16 PM

“Many will dismiss the possibility because we’re all sick of Brett Favre the man. But there’s no denying that Brett Favre the quarterback can still bring it. ”

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Yes, there is denying that Brett can still bring it. What were his numbers last season? You had to conveniently forget to mention those numbers to give this dumb article a hint credibility.

If Favre couldn’t win with the Vikings two years ago he couldnt win within bunch. You are delusional if you think he can – especially since Houston hasn’t yet it’s even a playoff team never mind a SB calibre one.

I hope the Texans do call on Favre. It will be a sure fire way for them to fall short of a SB. Help a raise the chances for every other AFC team.

Leinart has always had undeniable talent, but maturity issues have held him back. It would not surprise me if his benching has given him perspective and helped him mature.

In Arizona he never had the luxury of having an elite running game or defense, two things that when combined make the QB position much easier. He has many weapons and a defense and running game that will put him in favorable situations.

It’s a recipe for success and Leinart has the talent to take advantage. We’ll see now whether he’s grown up….and if he proves he has it wouldn’t shock me if he got a starting opportunity down the road to reunite with either Reggie Bush or Pete Carroll. Agree or disagree it would be good tv.

Zachariah Claybaugh says:Nov 14, 2011 9:35 PM

Um, no. This is a long-term injury, so it could really effect the Texans moving forward, particularly as it relates to playoff seeding. But keep in mind, they are in a weak division. The lack of a significant threat in the AFC South should allow them to be competitive with Leinart and still advance to the postseason. The Texans have a dominant running game, a top defense, and talented pass catchers, which can bring them through this storm. Don’t count them out just yet. And who knows, maybe Leinart will be better than most think…

Check out my blog by clicking at the username at the top of this post.

You had the same opinion when Campbell went down for the Raiders. Get off of Farve, dude was garbage last year and was just cashing checks. He had and has no game left. Try running out the same tired post next year during training camp when a “contender” only needs a washed up bum to get over the hump.

nomesayin says:Nov 14, 2011 9:43 PM

Wow! All these mongrel back-up QBs making big coin, only to F-up their team’s chances merely by stepping on the playing field. How do they make the cut? Do they just sign for the $ and hope & PRAY they never have to play?
Curtis Painter, Kyle Boller, Charlie Whitehurst, Matt Leinart…
Carson Palmer & his WRs sacrifice the bye-week, & the weekend of their Thursday night game so they can get extra reps. Kyle Boller? Nah! He’s got big plans for the weekend!

anybody else watching the MNF game and see one of the most obvious pass interference calls in the history of the nfl not get called? wow is all i can say. the refs in this league are so terrible this year.

The only person who thinks this is anything other than laughable is probably Farve himself.

abninf says:Nov 14, 2011 9:57 PM

They should call David Garrard. He might want to lead a team who has a chance to win the division. Could bring his value up and help in finding a team next season. Hell, that’s better than Farve. That dude’s a pervert anyways.

Great article. I’m with you, Favre the QB, one of the best ever. If Favre the man did better he’d be a Texan.

dd393 says:Nov 14, 2011 10:53 PM

I thought this article was an exercise in irony. You’re serious? C’mon, really? I thought La Brette would be going to the dream team in Philly to complete the cycle of self-destruction.

Zachariah Claybaugh says:Nov 14, 2011 10:54 PM

This injury could really effect the Texans moving forward, particularly as it relates to playoff seeding. But keep in mind, they are in a weak division. The lack of a significant threat in the AFC South should allow them to be competitive with Leinart and still advance to the postseason. The Texans have a dominant running game, a top defense, and talented pass catchers, which can bring them through this storm. Don’t count them out just yet. Favre is done. And even if he is not, Leinart is better prepared to play at this point.

Check out my blog by clicking at the username at the top of this post.

23chameleons says:Nov 14, 2011 11:02 PM

@chowincowan
and it was better with Kerry Collins ? At least Collins looked like a somewhat declining but serviceable QB last year. What good things can you say about Favre’s 2010 season (besides that it ended before he got suspended for his inappropriate text messages) ?

Is this sarcasm? Brett Favre is an old man who hasn’t played football in a year and hasn’t played good football in two years.

thefiesty1 says:Nov 14, 2011 11:17 PM

No, not Farve! Now they are stuck with Leinart, They should of drafted Vince Young when they had a chance. Never will make it to the Super Bowl. And, the ONLY reason they even have a chance at the playoffs is because Peyton can’t play this year.

thekingdave says:
Nov 14, 2011 8:19 PM
Mike, drop this crap already. It was annoying enough to see you suggest it for other teams to obtain hits, but as a Texan fan fully knowing there’s no chance of it ever happening? Ridiculous.

This, FTW.

I wondered what idiot had written the article. Then I looked– oh.

Voldemort. Of course.

ronaldmexico says:Nov 14, 2011 11:42 PM

No way, but it’s better than an article saying how teams who lost RBs should take a chance on Tiki Barber.

Favre played well for just one season recently, in between a few mediocre years, and it’s unlikely he’ll recapture the magic again. The Texans should at least give Leinart a chance to see if his MMA training with Jay Glazer really made him tougher and a better gamer – I have my doubts though.

LOL, Yeah, give Favre a call….. Besides the fact that he’s a coach killer and three days older than water, you do realize that he’s probably not been doing the type of “off season” training it would take to play an NFL game right? That train has left the station:)

j972 says:Nov 15, 2011 12:24 AM

Brett Favre is the greatest football player of all time.

raiders4life says:Nov 15, 2011 1:17 AM

Houston is done as far as a Super Bowl run is concerned, with or without Brett Favre. Keeping it real.

If Texas has a great O-Line, then Favre will thrive there like he did in 09 in Minn. The reason 10 was so bad is because the O-Line totally went to crap and Favre never had time to throw the ball, which is a huge problem to older QBs. Favre would be great for the Texans and the NFL.

txnative61 says:Nov 15, 2011 2:05 AM

You are being unnecessarily cruel to poor Brett. You know he’s like a big kid, and now he’s jumping up and down saying “YES, yes, I could do it, I could do it!”, and can’t take his eyes off the phone waiting for the Texans to call. Despite all the bad press, he’s actually kind of a loveable guy, and shouldn’t be teased like that.

culturalelitist says:Nov 15, 2011 2:39 AM

While Favre’s ego is being bruised, beaten and shredded on a weekly basis as Aaron Rodgers eclipses his predecessor, the possibility, remote as it may be, of Favre losing the Super Bowl to Rodgers is exactly why Favre won’t come back.

hedleykow says:Nov 15, 2011 2:41 AM

Favre?

That’s gotta be the 2nd stupidest idea ever, right after Sanchez’s bright idea to call timeout with a minute and change remaining.

beeg19 says:Nov 15, 2011 3:12 AM

Say what you will about Favre… the bad INTS, the photos, the Diva-like attitude. At least he is a competitor. I’ve watched Leinart at USC and with the Cards. USC he was good in a weak Pac-10 where defenses are quite simple and he had an absolutely stacked offense with reggie bush, mike williams, steve smith, fred davis, lendale white, and more. He was in the perfect situation back then. On the Cards he showed very little effort/savy and has the weakest arm in the NFL.

Good luck Texans with a weak armed, pretty boy quarterback who would be more successful starting in a USC GQ edition magazine with Mark Sanchez.

can we not call someone a Hall of Famer until they are? Future Hall of Famer is appropriate.

packmanfan says:Nov 15, 2011 4:31 AM

Yeah, go ahead and call him Texans.
I can just see it now.
Superbowl.
Texans vs Packers
4th Quarter
15 Seconds left
Tie game at 35-35
Texans with ball on Packers 30
4th and 5
Favre goes back to pass. There’s a man open on the 20.
But Favre goes for the end zone.
What’s this? Charles Woodson intercepts and takes it back to the house!
Pack wins!
Oh, you so know that’s what exactly would happen to the overrated BrINT Fail.

packmanfan says:Nov 15, 2011 4:38 AM

Does PFT not realize that Burnt Fart has lost the most playoff games for a quarterback. Ever?

staffordsyear says:Nov 15, 2011 5:21 AM

Brett favre? really? might as well call up gannon too,gimme a break.

bamasleeper13 says:Nov 15, 2011 6:36 AM

OMG. Really? I wondered how long it would take before grandpa’s name came up. HE probably thinks he could come in and save the Texans. He proved the last few pathetic tries that he is done. Just stop, no one , especially in GB remembers his name now.

Call Favre? What an idiotic suggestion. I wouldn’t call him just to say hi. Did you not see him play last year? Or at any time in the last five years? Aside from 2009 he has SUCKED. You need to get his name out your mouth.

the Texans surely can come up with a playbook that consists of healthy doses of Arian Foster and Ben Tate on the ground, periodic Brett bombs to Andre Johnson, and a smattering of short throws to Owen Daniels and either Foster or Tate.
====================

And this is the reason they won’t call Favre.

Because he would immediately toss that playbook out the window, start improvising like a crazy person, and throw 4 interceptions in a critical game.

Like he always does.

Because his ego would never accept the fact that a team had to dumb down it’s playbook for him.

realitypolice says:Nov 15, 2011 8:58 AM

beastofeden says:
Nov 14, 2011 8:34 PM
All you people calling for Matt LienINTart are insane. He has proved what he can and can not do.

Matt LienINTart is a younger version of Rex Grossman.
=======================

How is that pronounced?

Do you think that’s clever?

In fact, all of you people making up funny names for players: it’s not original, it’s not clever, and it’s certainly not funny.

joe2824 says:
Nov 14, 2011 8:29 PM“Not much has made me more mad then seeing that title, i hope to god you said it just to get people fired up. I dont even like the texans, but i like a Favre-less NFL.”

________________________

Really Joe2824, Really? The title “Texans should give Favre a call” makes you mad? Try this — Major college has a pedophile on campus, raping young boys, and the campus response is to tell him not to bring the boys around here again. THAT should make you mad, not some attention grabbing headline about Brett Favre.

cshearing says:Nov 15, 2011 9:18 AM

“Would you rather have Favre or Leinart running your offense?”
—————————————————-

I am sure the Texans believe that Leinart can get the job done. They willingly signed and pay him to be the backup in case of injury to Shaub.

Certainly the Texans were hoping that his playing time would not be extended due a season ending injury to their starter, but every NFL team is of that same mind set. Leinart was the back up they signed after evaluating the talent level available at the time.

Bringing Brett in as a back-up insurance policy to Leinart makes total sense, but that is not a reality. Brett does not need the cash, and he would never agree to be a back-up. The Texans have a ton of offensive weapons and a good defense. They should be fine.

brintfatre says:Nov 15, 2011 9:40 AM

The only difference between Favre and Lienart is that the season ending interception comes later with Favre.

1. realitypolice says:
Nov 15, 2011 8:53 AM
the Texans surely can come up with a playbook that consists of healthy doses of Arian Foster and Ben Tate on the ground, periodic Brett bombs to Andre Johnson, and a smattering of short throws to Owen Daniels and either Foster or Tate.
====================
And this is the reason they won’t call Favre.
Because he would immediately toss that playbook out the window, start improvising like a crazy person, and throw 4 interceptions in a critical game.
Like he always does.
Because his ego would never accept the fact that a team had to dumb down it’s playbook for him.
___
Throw 4 INTs? Like he ALWAYS does?
The FACT of the matter is that Favre has only thrown 4 or more INTs in one game SEVEN times in his entire career. By comparison, the overrated Tom Brady has thrown at least for in a game SIX times, in a career about half as long.
The only one here who needs a dose of reality here is you, idiot.

jessethegreat says:Nov 15, 2011 12:36 PM

Yeah that’s just what Favre wants… Give his all to a team, get them in a position to win a championship and have his heart crushed by his former team and their MVP quarterback. Let the guy be already. His career is over and he’s started to accept that.

I think whats being overlooked with this idea is that he might have one or two game suspensions due if he does come back. Goodell never did make a decision on the case, and waited till he didnt have to. I imagine he would be forced to deal with it if Favre comes back. and who knows, there might be some deal goodell made with favre, “if you retire we’l just let this one slide”.

packmanfan says:
Nov 15, 2011 4:38 AM
Does PFT not realize that Burnt Fart has lost the most playoff games for a quarterback. Ever?

That is more of a testament to how many weak and overrated Packer teams he propelled into the playoffs that had no business being there. Btw, Payton Manning will shatter that playoff loss record, if he hasn’t already. He already has a worse winning % in the playoffs.